More than half of the UAE's employers are planning to recruit more staff over the next few months, new research has found.

The latest Jobs Index by Bayt.com and YouGov Siraj found that 56 per cent of companies in the region expect to bring in new workers during the next quarter.

In line with sentiments expressed in other recent surveys, junior executives will be the most sought after talent during the coming quarter, with 38 per cent of surveyed employers confirming they are looking to recruit staff at a junior executive level. This was followed by 32 per cent who said they will be looking to hire at executive level.

Rabea Ataya, chief executive officer of Bayt.com, said: "The first quarter of 2010 started positively in terms of the propensity to hire among organisations across the Middle East, and this latest study indicates these early positive sentiments will continue into the second quarter."

Dubai's Chamber of Commerce and Industry confirmed it was feeling the impact of the region's economic recovery last week when it recorded a 15 per cent increase in exports by its members during the first quarter of the year compared to the final three months of 2009.